Parents, Students Take Action against CyberBullying

There have been a lot of studies recently on the effects of cyber bullying; it's psychological and physical harm that these bullies thrust upon younger and younger student's everyday. Many of the cyber bully incidents go unreported because children and teens feel it is somehow their fault - many of the cyber bully's are former friends or a friend of a friend, maybe someone they trusted. If they do tell someone about the abuse, it's typically another teen and sometimes this could lead to more cyber harassment, threats and abuse.

Cyber bullying could be sending threatening messages through cell phone texting; instant messages; taunting someone in an online chat room; forwarding embarrassing photos or e-mails that were meant to be personal or threatening someone through Twitter or Facebook posts where all their friends could see.

There are a number of things a student could do to discourage a cyber bully. You could ignore the communication or calmly tell them to stop. Do not retaliate, retaliation could escalade the harassment and possibly make it unclear as to who started the online aggression.

Tell an adult, a teacher, parent, trusted relative, especially if there are any threats in the messages. Be sure to print a hard copy of all messages. A teenager or young person could write down how they feel or what they would like to say to the bully, but do not send it. Walk away and read it in a few hours or a day or two and you will probably decide not to send it to the cyber bully; however, you could include it with your documentation. Before deleting any e-mails or instant chats, allow an adult to see them, do not delete anything unless you have made hard copies and an adult says it's okay to delete them.

Block all communications from the cyber bully and clean up your instant messenger buddy list. If you would not do it in real life, don't do it online and if you don't want anyone to know what you do, don't do it.

A parent, close relative, teacher or other trusted adult could help a young person who finds themselves in an abusive situation with an online stalker or cyber bully.

Many parents insist on keeping the family computer in the family room where everyone can see what the person on the computer is doing, this may help deter a would be bully and allow a parent to monitor what their child is viewing.

Talk regularly with your child about their online activities, just as you would any other activities. Teach them the good and the bad of going online. Be specific about cyberbullying and how it's not a joke and it's not okay, they need to tell you or someone about it.
Be aware of the warning signs that your son or daughter may be a victim of cyber bullying such as a sudden resistance to technology, computers or their cell phone, a sudden change in their mood or behavior and a desire to stay home, not go to school or other outings.

http://www.cyberbullyingguide.com